The best options for the perfect vacation differ from person to person depending on one’s agenda and budget. It is therefore necessary to do your home-work as it were so as to capture moments that would take your breath away. There is really no price to match the peacefulness attained from sitting in nature alone. The inner sense of calmness that arises from being still nourishes your soul and rejuvenates; the feeling of being free and alive. If you are yearning to unwind and relax, I would say go to the isle amongst the exotic chain of Caribbean islands, just about one hundred miles North of Venezuela, with a population of just over one hundred thousand warm people. Here lurks the tropical island of Grenada, the spice of life.
With hundreds of impressive niceties, Grenada is the world’s second largest producer of the culinary and medicinal spice, nutmeg. Other spices like cloves, cinnamon, cocoa and ginger adorn the Caribbean isle of Grenada. An explosion of adventure awaits you through a burst of exciting, creative cuisine, a visit to the capital of Grenada, St George’s market place along with activities like kayaking, hiking to waterfalls, scuba diving, water sports like canoeing and water tubing, and snorkeling while you are surrounded by the perfection of beautiful white sand beaches or privy to the most scenic, panoramic view from Fort St George.
In spite of Hurricane Ivan which ravished through the island in 2004, the beauty of the un-spoilt landscape remains, and so do the inner beauty of the people. The exquisite warmth, peacefulness and friendliness of the Grenadian people is unparalleled to most. Grenadian people are aware and authentic.
I had the pleasure of indulging in all these experiences collectively at one of the most pristine, small, luxury hotels in the world, Spice Island Beach Resort, owned by Sir Royston Hopkin, K.C.M.G., and located on one of the top beaches of the world, Grand Anse Beach. I landed in Maurice Bishop international airport early in the morning and was met by the hotel driver who was punctual, welcoming and informative. Upon my arrival at Spice Island Beach Resort, I was greeted by lovely ladies serving freshly squeezed, beastly cold orange juice and the amiably efficient manageress escorted me straight to my Sea Grape room, which was crisp and clean, with Frette bed linens and towels, Villeroy and Boch bath fixtures and Molton Brown soap. Everything was tasteful and simply perfect. I especially enjoyed my porch, furnished with a daybed and dining set, and a hammock and loungers that majestically sat on the breath-taking beachfront of Grand Anse Beach.
During my stay at Spice Island Beach Resort, nothing was lacking. I took the all inclusive package and meals were celebratory, full of style and cultural. Every day I enjoyed meals fit for a Queen at the Sea and Surf Terrace and Oliver’s Gourmet restaurants and was fussed over like a Queen not only by Fabien, the most ‘attentive to detail’ food and beverage manager, but also by the family of Sir Royston Hopkin; Lady Betty was most gracious. I engaged in a daily banquet for breakfast, a different catch of the day for lunch and dinner, Swordfish, Lobster, Shrimp, Kingfish, Barracuda and high tea; I devoured the heavenly, warm scones with nutmeg jelly and cream, nothing a walk on Grand Anse three mile long beach could not resolve.
Along my daily walk on the Grand Anse beach, I encountered locals singing ex-tempo, which is a sort of calypso with impromptu lyrics, and Grenadians selling handmade jewelry and spices, which of course were much cheaper at the St George’s marketplace. At night, the local entertainment in the Spice Island Beach Resort hotel was a live band of musicians with a singer and steel-band. I did not reach the resort’s Janisa’s Spa or Gatsby boutique, and most certainly I have not conquered the array of amenities and comforts available at Spice Island Beach Resort, let alone Grenada. I will surely be returning soon.
I can assure you of this, what an uncomplicated, peaceful vacation you will have on the Caribbean isle of Grenada-Spice Island Beach Resort.
by Simone Galy-Laquis
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